UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CIV 438 SPECIALIST STRUCTURES

  

No. of credits = 10

Taught in second semester

Assessment 100% coursework & attendance

MSc Structural Engineering

MSc Structural Engineering & Construction Management

MEng Structural Engineering

Aim

The module aims to develop in students an understanding of the wide range of factors, issues and opinion which informs a structural solution and to demonstrate to students that structural solutions involve judgement and uncertain data.

Objectives

  1. To introduce students to the following categories of structures:

    2. A Major structural refurbishment

    B Pipe supporting bridges

    C Heavily loaded industrial floors

    D Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

    E Concrete subjected to durability/cracking failure

    F Flat slab suspended floor construction

    G Barriers subject to impact loading

    H Full scale testing of bridge deck

    J World Trade Center Investigation

  2. By reference to the above, to introduce those aspects of structural engineering which do not conform to the usual methodology of using conventional analysis of loading and material properties, but instead to consider transient loading, the effect of restraint to temperature and moisture movement, the influence of environmental factors such as precipitation, the effect of progressive deterioration and the way in which refurbishment or extension of a building influences the structural solution.
  3. To provide the opportunity for students to critically appraise data which impacts a project, to draw conclusions and to use those conclusions in the development of an appropriate solution.
  4. To provide the opportunity for students to consider conflicting expert opinion and to draw their own conclusions.
  5. To allow students to present their views orally and to defend those views under oral questioning.

Teaching method

The module is developed as a series of eight 3hr sessions as follows:

Session 1 Overview of the eight case studies and allocation of topics

Session 2 Presentation & discussion of A & B

Session 3 Presentation & discussion of C & design of piled floor (Design 1)

Session 4 Presentation & discussion of D & design of SUDS scheme for Glasgow development (Design 2)

Session 5 Presentation & discussion of E & F

Session 6 Presentation & discussion of G & development of retro fit materials including testing of samples (Design 3)

Session 7 Presentation & discussion of H & J & design of timber bridge deck for forest roads (Design 4)

Each presentation will be undertaken by selected students who will then field questions. The presentation will last for 30min and the discussion will last for 45 min. The allocation of topics to students will take place during Session 1.

Allocation of time

Because this is a 10 credit module, each student should aim to spend 100hr on the module as follows:

21hr attending the seven sessions

20hr preparing presentation

10hr design of piled floor

10hr design of SUDS scheme

10hr development of retro fit barrier materials

10hr design of timber bridge deck

29hr preparation & submission of report setting out the above four items

Dates

The lectures take place in Room 100 (Conference Room), Cassie Building from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday afternoons on the following dates.

Session

Date

1

31st January

2

7th February

3

14th February

4

21st February

5

7th March

6

14th March

7

21st March

 

Resources

The basic resource comprises a box file for each of the nine topics which is available as follows. You can loan one box for a maximum of 24hr or you can book a box in advance for 24hr. Boxes are available between 8.30 and 8.45am Monday to Friday. You can extend the loan period day by day if no-one else needs the box but you must bring the box back at that time each day. The exception is for those students who are making a presentation who have exclusive use of the relevant box for the week preceding the presentation.

Box No.

Topic

1

Flat slab suspended floor construction (Robinson Library)

2

Full scale testing of bridge deck (Forest Enterprise)

3

Structural Refurbishment (Leazes Arcade)

4

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) (Miller Homes, Glasgow)

5

Heavily loaded industrial floors (Chatham Dockyard)

6

Pipe Supporting Bridges (Wylfa Nuclear Power Station)

7

Safety Barriers

8

Concrete subjected to durability/cracking failure (External Hardstanding, Hams Hall)

9

World Trade Center

 

The Module will use the "Blackboard" computer program which provides a means of data flow between everyone involved in the module, including a chat room.

 

Coursework Submission

For details of the coursework assignment, click here. 

  

 

John Knapton

Professor of Structural Engineering

January 2002